Kiln liner block supporting structure



Dec. 24, 1968 c. B. DEAN 3,417,538

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII RE Filed Feb. 17, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 55 COW/f7 5. D80!) INVENTO Dec. 24, 1968 c. B. DEAN 3,417,533

KILN LINER BLOCK SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 17, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 //0 l6 [/6 I26 20 Fig. 4 24 26 calwh 6. Dean INVENTOR Dec. 24, 1968 c. B. DEAN 3,

KILN LINER BLOCK' SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 17. 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Calvin E. Dean INVENTOR.

United States Patent 0 3,417,538 KILN LINER BLOCK SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Calvin B. Dean, P.O. Box 138, Brookwood, Ala. 35444 Filed Feb. 17, 1967, Ser. No. 616,854 11 Claims. (Cl. 52-749) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Twin side-by-side downwardly opening and generally semi-circular arch assemblies adapted to support upper portions of longitudinally spaced circumferential courses of kiln liner blocks, the arch assemblies each including opposite side support means adapted to be supported from lower portions of an associated kiln and from which the opposite side lower portions of the arch assemblies are supported for limited vertical movement and each of the arch assemblies including a pair of generally quarter circular arch sections joined at the top of the corresponding arch assembly for relative pivotal movement about an axis extending longitudinally of the associated kiln with the corresponding pair of support means on each side of the arch assemblies being supported from one another for swinging movement by means of a horizontal connecting link having its opposite ends pivotally connected to the corresponding support means for rotation relative thereto about generally vertical axes.

The kiln liner block supporting structure of the instant invention is specifically adapted to enable one course of circumferentially extending kiln liner blocks to be erected and supported from one of the arch assemblies while the other arch assembly has all of its liner block supporting portions thereof inwardly displaced for swinging through the first arch assembly and positioning on the remote side thereof to support the next circumferential course of liner blocks while the uppermost key blocks of the first erected circumferential course of kiln liner blocks are being cut to size and fitted in position. In this manner, the two arch assemblies of the kiln liner block supporting structure may be walked longitudinally of the associated kiln while the latter is being relined or constructed.

The main object of this invention is to provide a kiln liner block supporting structure that will be operable to support kiln liner blocks of two adjacent circumferential courses of liner blocks of a kiln and alternately sequentially advanced longitudinally of the kiln.

Another object of this invention is to provide a kiln I liner block supporting structure in accordance with the immediately preceding object and including axially spaced side-by-side downwardly opening generally semi-circular arch assemblies supported from one another and individually by opposite side support means adapted to be supported from the lower portions of an associated kiln and which may be readily walked longitudinally of an associated kiln without involving disassembly of either of the arch assemblies which together form the kiln liner block supporting structure of the instant invention.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a kiln liner block supporting structure which may be readily modified for use in construction of ditferent size kilns and which therefore may be repeatedly used in the construction of numerous different size kilns.

A further object of this invention is to provide a kiln liner block supporting structure in accordance with the preceding objects and which is constructed in a manner adapting the semi-circular arch assemblies thereof to be alternately sequentially walked longitudinally of an associated kiln by a minimum number of workmen.

A final object of this invention to be specifically 3,417,538 Patented Dec. 24, 1968 enumerated herein is to provide a kiln liner block supporting structure in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing through one longitudinal portion of a horizontally disposed kiln and with the kiln liner block supporting structure of the instant invention operatively associated with and supporting one circumferential course of liner blocks in position within the kiln and with the inwardly displaced position of the other arch assembly of the supporting structure being illustrated in phantom lines;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary enlarged bottom plan view of the center of that portion of the arch assembly illustrated in solid lines in the upper portion of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the center portion of the arch assembly illustrated in solid lines in the lower portion of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged elevational view of that portion of the arch assembly illustrated in solid lines in FIGURE 1 of the drawings in the left hand portion of FIGURE 1 and as seen from the right hand side of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane indicated by the section line 7-7 of FIGURE 6 and with alternate positions of two components of the arch assembly illustrated in phantom lines;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 88 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing through the vertical center of the left hand portion of FIGURE 1 and illustrating the manner in which the arch sections may be walked through each other.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings the numeral 10 generally designates a kiln structure including a lining assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 12 consisting of longitudinally spaced circumferential courses of liner blocks 14.

When a kiln is being constructed or relined, the blocks 14 in the lower portions of each circumferential course of blocks may be readily placed in position and retained in position by gravity. However, the upper or arched portion of each circumferential course of liner blocks 14 must be held in position until the uppermost opposite side key blocks 14 are cut to the exact desired size and keyed in position.

When constructing a new kiln or relining an existing kiln, it has heretofore been the practice to erect a supporting structure in position within the kiln to support each circumferential course of kiln liner blocks 14. Then, after the final uppermost key blocks 14 were in position, the previously erected supporting structure would be partially dismantled and shifted slightly longitudinally of the kiln prior to the setting in place of the next circumferential course of liner blocks. This manner of placing each circumferential course of liner blocks in position wastes considerable time since the cutting to size and the positioning of the two uppermost key blocks 14 takes considerable time and while these two key blocks are being cut and placed in position all other work in lining the kiln had to cease and thereafter the supporting structure had to be dismantled and re-erected in position to support the next circumferential course of blocks before the next course of blocks could be placed in position.

The present invention, however, utilizes a pair of arch supporting assemblies which may be erected in position and alternately readily slightly collapsed both transversely and vertically and walked through each other subsequent to being transversely and vertically expanded and repositioned for supporting the next circumferential course of liner blocks.

The arch supporting assemblies which together form the kiln liner block supporting structure of the instant invention are each generally referred to by the reference numeral 16. Each assembly 16 includes a semi-circular and downwardly opening upper portion 18 and a semicircular upwardly opening lower portion 20. The upper portion 18 consists of a pair of opposite side quartercircular arch sections 22 and the lower portion 20 includes a pair of quarter-circular opposite side lower sections 24.

Each of the upper sections 22 includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected link segments 26, each provided with a jack assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 28. In addition, each upper section 22 includes an upper link segment 30. The link segments 26 each include opposite side longitudinally extending angle members 32 interconnected at their opposite ends by means of a transverse member 34 and the adjacent ends of the link segments 26 include transversely registered mounting bosses 36 through which opposite end portions of a pivot pin 38 are secured whereby the adjacent ends of the link segments 26 are pivotally interconnected. However, the mounting bosses 36 project inwardly from the transverse members 34 and the adjacent edge portions of each pair of adjacent transverse members 34 define abutment surfaces preventing adjacent link segments 26 from being pivoted to fully aligned positions whereby each upper section 22 is limited to an arcuate configuration.

The link segments include similar opposite side angle members 40 interconnected at corresponding ends by means of transverse members 42 and 44 and each transverse member 42 includes a mounting boss 46 which is transversely registered with the adjacent mounting boss 36 and rotatably receives therethrough the corresponding pivot pin 38. The transverse member 44 of the right hand link segment 30 has a sleeve 48 secured thereto by welding 50 and the adjacent ends of the angle members 40 of the left hand link segment 30 have a pair of sleeves 52 secured thereto by welding 54. The sleeves 52 are axially spaced and aligned and receive therebetween the sleeve 48 and a pivot pin 56 is secured through the sleeves 48 and 52.

The lower end of each lower segment 26 has a pair of mounting arms 58 secured thereto by welding 60 and the arms 58 project below the lower end of the lowermost link segments 26 and are interconnected by means of a transverse brace 62. The lower free ends of the arms 58 are provided with endwise outwardly opening notches 64 and each of the arch assemblies 16 includes a pair of opposite side supporting link structures generally referred to by the reference numerals 66. The structures 66 include a pair of end assemblies 68 and 70 which are generally channel-shaped in configuration and include parallel a ljacent flange portions 72 which pivotally receive therebetween a corresponding end portion of a connecting link 74. The flange portions 72 are suitably apertured as at 76 and each of the end portions of the connecting link 74 is apertured as at 78 and has a sleeve 80 disposed therein. A pivot pin 82 is passed through each pair of corresponding apertures 76 and the associated sleeve 80. Accordingly, it may be seen that the connecting links 74 may be swung a full 360 degrees about each of the pivot fasteners 82 and that the two connecting links 74 thereby support the opposite side portions of the arch assemblies 16 from each other and for swinging movement of each pair of supporting link structures 66 about the pivot pin 82 carried by the other supporting link structure 66.

The opposite side flange portions 84 of the end assembly 68 are provided with pairs of aligned apertures 86 spaced longitudinally of the end assembly 68 and a pivot pin 88 is secured through one pair of the apertures 86 and the apertured end portions of a pair of link arms 90, which together with the arms 58 form an articulated link structure generally referred to by the reference numeral 92 and which may be either fully extended in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7 of the drawings in solid lines or collapsed in the manner illustrated in phantom lines in FIGURE 7 of the drawings. The link arms are slotted as at 94 and slidably receive the opposite end portions of a transverse locking shaft 96 therein. The locking shaft includes a pair of parallel laterally projecting pins 98 which are slidably received through a cross brace 100 extending between the arms 90 and a pair of compression springs 102 are disposed about the pins 88 between the locking shaft 96 and the cross brace 100 and thereby urge the locking shaft 96 toward the ends of the slots 94 remote from the cross brace 100.

As can best be seen from a comparison of FIGURES 6 and 7 of the drawings the locking shaft 96, when its end portions are seated in the notches 64, locks the link arms 90 to the mounting arms 58 against angular dis placement relative to the latter. However, when the opposite ends of the locking shaft 96 are withdrawn from the notches 64, the link arms 90 may be pivoted relative to the mounting arms 58 through the pivot connection defined by the pivot shaft or fastener 102 extending between the overlapped end portions of the link arms 90 and the mounting arms 58.

Accordingly, it may be seen that the lower end portions of the upper sections 22 defined by the mounting arms 58 may be inwardly and downwardly displaced so as to vertically and transversely contract the upper portion 18 of one arch supporting assembly 16 for movement through the other arch supporting assembly 16.

Each of the lower sections 24 also includes a plurality of link segments 26 although the link segments 26 of the lower sections 24 do not include the jack assemblies 28 to be hereinafter more specifically referred to.

The lower end of each of the supporting link structures 66 includes a mounting boss 106 which is transversely registered with the uppermost mounting boss 36 of the corresponding side of the lower portion 20 and the lower ends of the left hand link segments 26 include pivot pins 108 passed through the corresponding flange portions 110, a pair of journal bosses 112 carried by the corresponding angle members 32 and a mounting boss 114 carried by the corresponding transverse member 34. The mounting boss 114 is axially aligned with and spaced between the mounting bosses 112 and corresponding end portions of a pair of link arms 116 are journaled on the pivot pin or fastener 108 between the mounting bosses 112 and the mounting boss 114. The other pair of corresponding ends of the link arms 116 are rotatably journaled on a pivot pin or fastener 118 which is also rotatably received through corresponding end portions of a similar pair of link arms 120 carried by the lower right hand link segment 26. The ends of the link arms 120 remote from the pivot fastener 118 are received between the flange portions of the lower right hand link segment 26 and a journal sleeve 122 carried by the transverse member 34 of the lower right hand link assembly 26, the link arms 120 being pivotally secured to the corresponding link segment 26 by means of a pivot pin or fastener 124 secured through the flange portions 110, the corresponding ends of the link arms 120 and the journal sleeve 122. In addition, one end of a lever arm 126 is rotatably journaled on the pivot pin or fastener 118 and includes a short camming end portion 128 which may be utilized, upon inward swinging movement of the free end of the lever arm 126, to engage the liner blocks 14 and cam the pivot pin or fastener 118 radially inwardly of the kiln so as to swing the pairs of link arms 116 and 120 past their center positions.

Accordingly, it may be seen that the lower sections 24 are connected by means of an articulated link structure referred to in general by the reference numeral 130 and comprising the two pairs of link arms 116 and 120. The articulated link structure 130 of course may be utilized to bracingly space the adjacent ends of the lowermost link segments 26 apart or to shift the pivot pins 108 and 124 toward each other whereby the lower portion of each arch assembly 16 may be transversely and vertically contracted.

After each arch assembly 16 has had its upper portion 18 as well as its lower portion 20 transversely and vertically contracted that arch assembly 16 may be walked through the other arch assembly 16 and immediately thereafter be transversely and vertically expanded into position forming a full arch assembly for supporting the next course of liner blocks 14.

The jack assemblies 28 are carried by each of the link segments 26 of the upper sections 22 and include a mounting sleeve 132 externally threaded on one end portion as at 134 and secured between corresponding angle members 32 centrally intermediate their opposite ends by means of a pair of jamnuts 134 and 136 threadedly engaged with the mounting sleeve 132 inwardly and outwardly of the corresponding angle members 32.

The ends of the mounting sleeves 132 remote from the externally threaded end portions 130 are provided with diametric slots 138 which open outwardly of the corresponding ends of the mounting sleeves 132. In addition, the mounting sleeves 132 also have sleeves 140 secured thereto in any convenient manner such as by welding 142.

Each of the jack assemblies 28 includes an extendible rod portion 144 having a diametrically enlarged head 146 on one end portion and externally threaded on the other end portion as at 148. A sleeve 150 is slidably disposed on the externally threaded end portion 148 of the rod portion 144 and includes a pair of diametrically oppositely projecting stub pins 152 which are slidably received in the slot 138. Further, an internally threaded nut 154 is threadedly engaged on the threaded end portion 148 behind each of the sleeves 150' and thereby adjustably limits axial shifting of the rod portion 144 toward the left relative to the sleeve 150 as seen in FIG- URE 8 of the drawings.

The stub pins or shafts 152 project outwardly from the slot 138 and a pair of cam disks 160 connected by means of a transverse pin 162 are mounted on each of the mounting sleeves 132 by the pin 162 being rotatably received through the sleeve 140. The cam disks 160 are also interconnected by means of an apertured brace 166 and the opposite end portions of the pins 142 are engaged by the peripheral portions of the cam disks 160. In FIGURE 8 of the drawings the cam disks 160 are shown in position being rotated in a counterclockwise direction so as to urge the pins 152 toward the left so as to thus extend the rod portion 144 outwardly into contact with the opposing liner block 14. After the head 146 has engaged the liner block 14, continued movement of the cam disks 160 in counterclockwise directions will of course only further shift the sleeve 150 to the left as illustrated in FIGURE 8 of the drawings so as to more tightly compress the expansion spring 156. When the cam disks have been rotated to a position with the transverse brace 166 abutting the mounting sleeve 132 the points of contact of the pins 152 with the cam disks 160 will be shifted past a position diametrically opposite the pivot pin 162 whereby the cam disks 160 will be maintained in these limit positions. However, when it is desired to shift one arch assembly 16 through the other arch assembly 16, the cam disks 160 are rotated in counterclockwise directions by means of a handle-defining tool 170 engaged with each of the transverse braces 166 which will enable the rod portions 144 to be almost fully retracted and the heads 146 to abut against the adjacent ends of the mounting sleeves 132. When the jack assemblies 28 are thus retracted, the corresponding arch assembly 16 may be passed through the other arch assembly 16 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES l and 9 of the drawings. With continued reference to FIGURE 9, it may be seen that the left hand arch assembly 16, after its jack assemblies 28 have been retracted and its articulated link structures 92 and 130 have been collapsed, may be swung through the other arch assembly 16 to the position thereof illustrated in phantom lines in FIG- URE 9 before the articulated link structures 92 and 130 are again extended and the piston rod portions 144 of its jack assemblies 28 have again been projected for engagement with the next circumferential course of line blocks being erected.

Thus, it may be seen that after one of the arch assemblies 16 has been utilized to brace and hold in position all but the key blocks 14 of the corresponding course of liner blocks the other arch assembly .16 may be vertically and transversely contracted and passed through the arch assembly still in use for positioning on the opposite side thereof. Then, the lower liner blocks 14 of the next course of liner blocks as well as all but the uppermost key blocks 14 of the next course of blocks may be placed in position while the key blocks 14 of the first course of liner blocks are being finally cut to exact shape and placed in position. By this construction, there is no delay in shifting from one course of liner blocks to the other while the first course is having its key blocks precisely cut and fitted and there is literally no disassembly of the arch assemblies 16 when shifting from one course of blocks to another except for unlocking the articulated link structures 92 and 130 and retracting the various jack assemblies 28, which steps can be readily carried out by a minimum of workmen. Further, inasmuch as each of the arch assemblies is constructed of a plurality of pivotally interconnected link segments 26, the arch assemblies 16 may be constructed of different sizes and readily changed in size by the addition or deletion of one or more link segments 26.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modificatoins and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A kiln liner block supporting structure for use in relining existing kilns and constructing new kilns, said structure including a pair of side-by-side downwardly opening generally semi-circular arch assemblies adapted to support longitudinally spaced circumferential courses of kiln liner blocks, opposite side support means adapted for support at opposite sides of a kiln being lined, said arch assemblies each including opposite side portions movable toward and away from each other, the lower portions of the opposite side portions of each of said arch assemblies being mounted from the corresponding support means for limited vertical movement and limited l movement of said opposite side lower portions toward and away from each other as well as movement through the plane in which the other arch assembly is disposed, whereby said assemblies may be walked through each other.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said arch assemblies each include a plurality of end aligned arch sections joined at adjacent ends for movement of said opposite side lower portions thereof toward and away from each other.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein each of said arch assemblies includes a pair of generally quartercircular and aligned sections whose adjacent ends are jointed for swinging movement of the remote end portions of said arch sections toward and away from each other.

4. A kiln liner block supporting structure for use in relining existing kilns and constructing new kilns, said structure including a pair of side-by-side downwardly opening arch assemblies including opposite side lower portions movable toward and away from each other, support means interconnecting corresponding opposite side lower portions of said assemblies and from which the lower portions of each assembly are supported for limited vertical and lateral movement toward and away from each other as well as movement through the plane in which the other arch assembly is disposed, whereby said assemblies may be walked through each other.

5. A kiln liner block supporting structure for use in relining existing kilns and constructing new kilns, said structure including a pair of side-by-side upstanding annular frame assemblies each being expandable and contractable between expanded generally circular configurations and contracted configurations of reduced height and width sufficient to enable said frame assemblies each, when contracted, to be passed through the other frame assembly, said assemblies being adapted to support longitudinally spaced circumferential courses of kiln liner blocks, said frame assemblies each when expanded, including opposite side portions thereof adapted to be supported in stationary position within and from a kiln being lined and from which the corresponding opposite side portions of the other frame assembly are supported, when said other frame assembly is contracted, for successive movement of the last-mentioned opposite side portions generally radially inwardly of said other frame assembly and toward the plane of the expanded frame assembly, through said plane, and then radially outwardly of said other frame assembly and away from the side of said plane remote from the side thereof on which said other frame assembly was first disposed, whereby said frame assemblies each may be alternately contracted and passed through the other frame assembly before again being expanded.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein corresponding opposite side portions of said frame asemblies are supported from each other by means of horizontally elongated connecting links each pivotally secured to the corresponding opposite side portions of said frame assemblies for swinging movement throughout a full 360 are relative thereto about upstanding axes.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said frame assemblies each include four end aligned generally semicircular sections consisting of two upper sections and two lower sections.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the adjacent ends of said upper sections are pivotally secured together for swinging movement of the remote ends of said upper sections toward and away from each other.

9. The combination of claim 7 wherein the adjacent ends of said lower sections are connected by means of an expandable link structure extending therebetween.

10. The combination of claim 7 wherein the adjacent ends of each pair of upper and lower sections are connected together by said opposite side portions of said frame assemblies and which comprise expandable link structures.

11. The combination of claim 4 wherein said arch assemblies each include a plurality of generally radially outwardly projecting and generally radially inwardly retractable jack assemblies spaced thereabout.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 26,132 1/1967 Cerutti 6l84 1,382,668 6/1921 ORourke 61--84 3,075,359 1/1963 Clark 52-749 3,298,155 1/1967 Byfield 52749 3,373,571 3/1968 Records 6l84 OTHER REFERENCES 187,392 1/1964 Sweden.

FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 61-84 

